- Incident occurred after Newcastle Knights win in June
- James Schiller exposed the threats on social media
A man who sent an NRL player a death threat has been slapped with a fine and handed a criminal conviction.
Worrying images surfaced online in June showing multiple messages that 20-year-old Joseph Baldwin had allegedly sent Newcastle Knights winger James Schiller on Instagram.
The messages were sent after the Knights secured a 26-22 victory against Manly Sea Eagles on June 5 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Schiller, 24, had crossed over for a try in the 61st minute of the match, helping Newcastle seal the closely fought four-point victory. He had also impressed by making the most line breaks of any player on the footy pitch.
Magistrate Stephen Barlow told the court that Mr Baldwin had sent a ‘concerning death threat’ to Schiller following the match.
Baldwin, who hails from Hunter Valley, was understood to have sent multiple messages to Schiller, including: ‘Count your days… I will end your f***ing life.’
A man who sent death threats to Newcastle Knights star James Schiller (pictured) learned his fate in court on Wednesday
Joseph Baldwin (pictured) was handed a $750 fine and a criminal conviction by Magistrate Stephen Barlow
The 20-year-old was arrested a week after the incident.
He was charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend, and pleaded guilty to the charge as he appeared in Belmont Local Court on Wednesday.
Legal counsel for the defendant, Mr Robert Williams, had asked the Magistrate to spare him a criminal conviction in order for him to ‘continue his life without an unblemished record.’
But during sentencing, Magistrate Barlow handed Mr Baldwin a $750 fine and a criminal conviction.
Magistrate Barlow spoke of his shock at the messages, telling the court that they were ‘more than harsh, they are actually quite threatening’.
‘The victim was concerned for his own safety and the safety of his family,’ Magistrate Barlow added.
‘When someone threatens to end your life, it obviously would make anyone have concerns about their welfare and their family’s welfare.’
The Magistrate had taken into consideration Baldwin’s age and maturity, but added that those in the public eye should be allowed to feel safe.
Schiller exposed the threats online (pictured), with Magistrate Stephen Barlow telling the court that they were ‘concerning’ and that the NRL star had a right to feel safe
Schiller (pictured) scored an outstanding try in the second half of the Knights’ 26-22 comeback victory against Manly in June
‘Just because he is someone who is a public figure, doesn’t mean he should have to have a more resilient personality than anyone [else] in the community,’ Magistrate Barlow told the court.
‘People who play sport in public, professional sports have a legitimate expectation that they can feel safe.
Baldwin’s counsel Robert Williams also asked the magistrate if his client could be pardoned from entering the courthouse.
He explained that there were ‘intimidating media’ outside.
Williams told the court that Baldwin was remorseful over the messages.
‘He will never send a message like this again,’ Williams said.
